Mike Vilensky

Articles by Mike Vilensky

The death of a Westchester County woman in police custody this week has prompted calls for New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to use new powers of his office to act as a special prosecutor in the case.

A beef stand with a political back story has shaken up New York farming circles since it opened last month at a Manhattan greenmarket. South Farm is quietly operated by former Gov. George Pataki, who is running for president.

Billy Joel has six Grammy Awards, a friendship with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and fans around the globe. But if Democrats in the state Legislature have their way, the singer-songwriter will never see a stretch of New York Route 107 bear his name.

The death of Eric Garner last July sparked protests and a public outpouring of grief. But one year later, advocates for changing the criminal-justice system say their calls haven’t sparked the overhaul they had hoped for.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo met Tuesday with families of civilians who have died in encounters with police officers and said he soon would sign an executive order that would change how the state handles such cases.

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s realization that his agenda couldn’t be achieved without Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s assistance, and his sense that the governor wasn’t willing to help him, sparked the mayor’s comments slamming the governor, the mayor’s aides said.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, and Senate President John Flanagan, a Republican, are trying to assert themselves as lawmakers focus on unresolved issues such as rent regulations and tax breaks.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has overseen a gradual reduction in New York’s inmate population, and he has moved to close more than 10 prisons, an action that coincides with a national trend.in funding for state prisons.